As the sun sets, its crimson glow illuminates the golden and green tiles, creating a unique and beautiful scene.
As autumn winds begin to blow, yellow leaves rustle, and the once vibrant flowers wither and fade. The once magnificent palace of flowers is now tinged with the melancholy of fading beauty.
Inside the hall, every table, chair, flower, vase, cup, pot, window, and door is adorned with intricate and exquisite Chinese characters. The rising smoke creates an ethereal atmosphere, while the lingering scent of sandalwood reveals the owner's extravagant lifestyle—a person who understands and pursues a refined lifestyle.
Ji Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled, "Father, why?"
Hu Shao sighed and said, "Tian Tian, my Hu family has no heirs."
Without descendants, there is no legacy. Without a legacy, what use is a successful rebellion? Perhaps a hundred years from now, as they approach their death, their bones will be crushed and scattered to the winds by the enemy.
While you're still old, I'll take your life! I'll grind your bones to dust and sever your reincarnation!
The ancients valued descendants and inheritance, and Hu Shao's words make sense.
Ji Xiaoxiao touched her belly and said, "Father, the succession of the throne is a very simple matter, so you don't need to worry about it. I am two months pregnant."
Hu Shao was startled and stared at Ji Xiaoxiao's flat stomach for a long time without saying a word.
"...Tian Tian, are you telling the truth?"
Hu Shao smacked his lips, as if he were drooling over Ji Xiaoxiao's delicious dish.
Ji Xiaoxiao answered Hu Shao firmly and directly, "A daughter would never deceive her father."
Hu Shao stared blankly at Ji Xiaoxiao's belly, then burst into laughter after a long while.
"Okay, okay, okay." After saying "okay" three times, Hu Shao asked in confusion, "Tian Tian, who is this child?" Hu Shao had a feeling, but he just wanted an answer from Ji Xiaoxiao.
Ji Xiaoxiao waved her hand and said seriously, "Father, this child was born from my body. No matter who his father is, he will be the rightful child of the Hu family."
The implication is that the child's father should leave him alone, no matter how much trouble he's causing.
Hu Shao was a cunning and ruthless man who never paid attention to worldly opinions. Ji Xiaoxiao's words were crude but reasonable. He had no words to reply and did not intend to refute her with reason.
Having roots is better than having no descendants at all!
Hu Shao spent a silly, happy time for a quarter of an hour until night fell and the stars twinkled. He then earnestly reminded Ji Xiaoxiao to take care of her health and safety before reluctantly leaving the Yanjue Palace.
Looking at Hu Shao's triumphant figure, Ji Xiaoxiao couldn't help but sigh at the original owner's good fortune.
What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force. What is yours, no one can take away. What does not belong to you, no matter how much you throw tantrums, threaten, or bribe, will only lead to nothing.
Ji Xiaoxiao turned and walked into the hall, where the thoughtful Lanxin had already prepared dinner.
While slowly counting the grains of rice, Ji Xiaoxiao muttered to herself, lost in thought, recalling the fate of the child in the original owner's womb in her previous life.
The original owner learned of her pregnancy a month after Zheng Jincheng and Luo Qingshuang's marriage, roughly around this time. Out of jealousy that Luo Qingshuang had married a beautiful woman and anger at Zheng Jincheng's broken promise, the original owner drank heavily for three days, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. When the imperial physician examined her, her two-month pregnancy was revealed without warning.
The current emperor is over sixty years old. More than twenty years ago, no more princes or princesses were born in the palace. It is obvious that the child in the original owner's womb was an illegitimate child.
Upon learning that the imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs had been executed one by one by the original owner, the screams and stench of blood emanating from the palace soared into the sky and blotted out the sun for several days.
The original owner was deeply in love with Zheng Jincheng and put him first in everything. She was humble and lowly, even using her father and her own body, all she wanted was for Zheng Jincheng to look at her once more.
Luo Qingshuang and Zheng Jincheng became husband and wife. They spent every day and night together. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection. The original owner was worried that Zheng Jincheng would develop unnecessary feelings for Luo Qingshuang. From then on, he only saw the smiles of the new bride and heard nothing of the tears of the old one.
Like any ordinary woman, the original owner wanted to use the child to ensnare Zheng Jincheng.
However, things didn't go as planned, and Zheng Jincheng wanted the original owner to abort the child.
The original owner cried, made a scene, argued, and begged, but Zheng Jincheng stayed with her every night, saying sweet words. In addition, couples often make up after a quarrel, so the original owner willingly and happily drank the abortion pill.
It's so sad that this child passed away before he could see the wonderful world.
Ji Xiaoxiao put down her chopsticks and patted her stomach. "I'll reluctantly put in the effort!"
After washing up, Ji Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, and soon her breathing became steady.
After sleeping soundly until dawn, Ji Xiaoxiao felt refreshed, and her cold face softened considerably.
I covered my eyes with my hands; the bright sunlight was extremely dazzling.
After changing her clothes, Ji Xiaoxiao ate breakfast and lay on the chaise lounge, not wanting to move.
The sun shines warmly, a gentle breeze blows, and the delicate fragrance of flowers is invigorating.
The birdsong is crisp and clear, the rustling of the trees is deep and resonant; the music of nature has a hypnotic effect.
Ji Xiaoxiao squinted lazily, a rare feeling of joy flowing through her heart.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived." Lanxin crouched down and whispered in Ji Xiaoxiao's ear.
Ji Xiaoxiao slowly opened her eyes, the comfortable atmosphere replaced by violence.
"Why is that old geezer here?" Ji Xiaoxiao was still lying down.
Lan Xin pointed to the small dark room behind the main hall of Yanjue Palace, "That's Consort De."
Consort De, Zhang Linghua, was Zheng Jincheng's biological mother. Originally the daughter of a disgraced official, she was the lowest-ranking slave in the Imperial Laundry. More than thirty years ago, a drunken Zheng Run somehow passed by the Imperial Laundry and, overcome by lust, grabbed Zhang Linghua, who was uttering incoherent pleas.
Three months later, Zhang Linghua became pregnant. After ten months of pregnancy, Zhang Linghua gave birth to Zheng Jincheng. Because of her son's birth, Zhang Linghua was granted the title of Noble Lady.
Even after giving birth to a prince, Zhang Linghua was only granted the title of Noble Lady, which shows how unfavored she was.
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